Wissmann: Electric mobility needs lasting market incentives

VDA President Wissmann on promoting electric mobility in Germany

Regarding the debate on promoting electric mobility in Germany, Matthias Wissmann, President of the German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA), explained the following:

“It is welcome that pressure also exists within the Grand Coalition to bring about specific political decisions to improve the conditions for electric mobility. They are long overdue. In recent years the manufacturers and suppliers in the German automotive industry have invested over 14 billion euro in the research and development of electric mobility. The German automotive industry now offers 29 different e-models, which make up the most extensive and innovative range on the market of any industrialized nation in the world, and has thus become a global leading provider. Now the political framework conditions must be swiftly created for further establishment of the charging infrastructure, public procurement and the market ramp-up. Experience teaches us that with low oil prices electric mobility becomes established fastest in those countries where there are lasting market incentives. These could take the form of effective tax benefits or direct purchasing incentives, or a combination of the two. Although the efficient gasoline and diesel vehicles will remain important in the coming years, in the interest of the climate Germany should not be satisfied that its industry is the world’s leading provider of electric mobility, but should also do everything it can to become a leading market for electric mobility.”